This election year will mark the biggest change on the Lakewood City Council in its 13-year-history.

Three of its members aren’t running for re-election. The six candidates vying for those open seats offer a mix of backgrounds and public experience.

And perhaps the biggest change – at least compared to four years ago — is that what was once Lakewood’s most powerful political group isn’t putting its stamp on any of the races.

In 2005, Lakewood CARES helped Ron Cronk get elected and Pad Finnigan retain his seat. The self-styled government watchdog group was often critical of city staff members and incumbents and rallied behind outsider candidates.

The victories of Cronk and Finnigan meant three members of the Lakewood City Council were members of CARES. Together, they filled nearly half the City Council dais and had the ability to sway issues.

Fast-forward to today, and Lakewood CARES’ presence is becoming a memory. John Arbeeny didn’t run for re-election in 2007. Cronk and Finnigan, who was the first CARES member elected to the council back in 2001, decided to opt out this year. (Helen McGovern, who is not affiliated with CARES, is the other incumbent stepping down.)

None of the six challengers for Lakewood’s three open positions has identified himself or herself with CARES, the group born out of a failed attempt to recall the entire council in 2000 and out of criticism of the construction of a $13.2 million City Hall building that same year.

“It’s been very quiet this year,” said candidate Jason Whalen, who ran unsuccessfully against Finnigan in 2005. “I just haven’t seen that level of concern.”

Sam Ross, Whalen’s opponent, also said he wasn’t align- ing himself with Lakewood CARES, and said it will be good to get fresh faces on the council.

“New blood is healthy,” he said.

All the Lakewood candidates have served on public boards or advisory committees, and all contend they have the necessary experience.

They say they’re concerned about strengthening the police force and partnering with the Clover Park School District to increase student achievement.

But this year’s biggest focus is on economic development, as in how Lakewood should develop some parts of the city and redevelop others. Most of the candidates agree that Lakewood is too dependent on gambling tax revenue, and some say they should start phasing it out.

“My only agenda is to help spur economic development,” said Position 1 candidate Darrel Shiley.

He’s been a mainstay at City Council meetings the past year, and says that while he can disagree with someone on an issue, he’s always willing to work to find a solution.

Shiley said he believes the strength of the city is through its neighborhoods, and he wants to build off that.

His opponent, Mary Moss, said her vision for the city involves improving life for everyone, regardless of a person’s background.

Moss said she especially wants to assist small businesses that will help the city weather the current economic recession.

“I think there’s going to be a lot more entrepreneurs, and I want to give them the platform they need to do that,” she said.

Position 2 candidate Mike Brandstetter said he supports economic development, but it shouldn’t happen at the expense of neighborhoods.

One reason he ran was to make sure plans for development aren’t detrimental to Lakewood residents.

“I think economic development should focus on what normal people want for their communities, which is to improve their quality of life,” he said.

Connie Coleman Lacadie, the other candidate for Position 2, cited her experience working for residents as the reason she’s the better choice.

She said she will be a leader on issues from education to public safety. As for economic development, she said she wants to retain and attract business.

“Economic development is important to me, but it has to be what fits Lakewood,” she said.

For Position 3, candidate Sam Ross said he wants to bring a new approach and ideas to the city. He wants to attract new businesses that will help diver- sify Lakewood’s economic base.

As a member of the city’s public safety advisory group, one of his goals has been to expand Lakewood’s police force, he said.

“I was just hoping to be a fresh face on the council,” Ross said.

Whalen, who’s also vying for Position 3, said his experience serving the city and on other public boards make him the top choice. He cites his role on the planning advisory board that led to Tillicum’s redevelopment.

His platform includes fully funding the community polic- ing program, developing areas such as Pacific Highway and partnering with the school district to improve overall quality of life.

“I want to work to make and keep Lakewood a livable city,” Whalen said.

Brent Champaco: 253-597-8653

brent.champaco@thenewstribune.com

Position 1

Mary Moss

Age: 69

Occupation: Community relations manager at Harborstone Credit Union

Education: Associate of Arts, Tacoma Community College; Bachelor of Arts, liberal arts, The Evergreen State College; Master of Arts, organizational leadership, Chapman University

Other experience: Clover Park Technical College Board of Trustees; Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, Military Affairs Committee; St. Clare Women’s Advisory Board; Communities in Schools.

Campaign contributions: Raised $11,783; spent $8,546.

Web site: electmarymoss.com

Darrel Shiley

Age: 46

Occupation: Registered nurse for Franciscan Health System

Education: Nursing diploma, Green River Community College, 1997; associate’s degree, nursing, Tacoma Community College, 2001

Other experience: Lakewood Human Services Funding Advisory Board; Cub Scout den leader and parent volunteer; youth sports coach

Campaign contributions: Raised $7,318; spent $4,099.

Website: darrelshiley.com

Position 2

Mike Brandstetter

Age: 62

Occupation: Dean at Bates Technical College

Education: Bachelor of Science, Business and Management, University of Maryland, 1988; Master of Arts, Organizational Leadership, Chapman University, 2007

Other experience: Board member of Tacoma Area Coalition for Individuals with Disabilities, Tillicum American Lake Gardens Community Service Center, and Toy Rescue Mission; member of Lakewood First Lions Club

Campaign contributions: Raised $13,633; spent $4,948.

Web site: None provided.

Connie Coleman Lacadie

Age: 63

Occupation: Aviation and space education program manager for the Federal Aviation Administration

Education: Working on associate’s degree.

Other experience: Clover Park School Board member (term ends this year); advisory boards for Museum of Flight Education Leaders, Lakewood Boys & Girls Club, and Lakewood YMCA; member of Lakewood First Lions, Dotha McCormick Guild, Civil Air Patrol, Women in Aviation and Lakewood Sister Cities Association

Campaign contributions: Raised $7,360; spent $8,950.

Web site: Vote4Connie.com

Position 3

Sam Ross

Age: 24

Occupation: Volunteer

Education: Bachelor’s degree in law, societies and justice, University of Washington, 2006

Other experience: Member of Lakewood Public Safety Advisory Committee; board member of North Lakewood Neighborhood Association; member Lakewood First Lions and Lakewood and Tacoma Relay for Life

Campaign contributions: Raised $13,035; spent $12,928.

Web site: electsamross.com

Jason Whalen

Age: 46

Occupation: Attorney

Education: Bachelor of Arts, economics and speech communication, Gonzaga University, 1985; law degree, Gonzaga School of Law, 1992.

Other experience: Member of Lakewood Planning Advisory Board; past board member of Lakewood YMCA and Tacoma-Pierce County Red Cross; former elected member of Pierce County Charter Review Commission; member of Lakewood Rotary; former Army Field Artillery officer, Army Reservist and National Guardsman.

Campaign contributions: Raised $14,766; spent $10,694.

Web site: jasonwhalen.org